It’s an idea that’s been floated before with Toronto traffic as bad as ever.
A study released by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis over the holiday season said lost economic opportunity due to congestion in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area (GTHA) cost the region more than $10 billion in 2024.
A congestion charge has been mentioned as a possible solution to Toronto’s traffic woes, and now that a charge has been introduced for vehicles entering New York City, could the same be headed for a highway near you?
How does a congestion charge work?
Motorists in New York City are now required to pay a toll to enter the portion of Manhattan south of 60th Street, which runs east-west along the south end of Central Park.
It’s a first-of-its-kind charge in North America, however, similar charges have been implemented in several European cities including London, Milan, and Stockholm.
The new charge is officially part of what’s called the Central Business District Tolling Program and came into effect on January 5, 2025.
Passenger vehicles will be required to pay a $9 toll to enter the congestion pricing zone, with motorcycles paying a toll of $4.50.
License plate readers are being used to enforce the toll with rates in place from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Tolls are reduced during overnight hours.
Vehicles are permitted to leave the congestion pricing zone and re-enter without being charged again, with toll charges capped at once per day.
Some drivers may qualify for lower fees including those with low income, or passengers in taxis or rideshare vehicles.
Could a congestion charge be coming to Toronto?
While this type of congestion pricing program has been raised as a way to combat gridlock in Toronto in the past, there seems to be very little appetite for the same type of charge to be introduced in the GTA.
In a recent interview with CityNews, President and CEO of the Ontario Trucking Association Stephen Laskowski argued that a congestion charge would simply serve to make life more expensive.
“All you’re doing with congestion pricing is increasing the cost of consumer goods and manufacturing,” Laskowski said.
Politically, the idea of a congestion charge in Toronto doesn’t appear to have much support either.
At a recent news conference, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters that the city couldn’t apply a toll on its own authority even if it wanted to, but didn’t entirely rule out the possibility down the road.
“Ultimately, it’s the provincial government that approves it” Chow said.
“As I recall, former Mayor Tory requested the ability to toll the roads, and I think the government at the time said no. So, it’s not something we are considering right now because it’s not within our ability to do so, unfortunately”.
When asked for comment, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the province has no intention of allowing any type of congestion charge to come into effect.
In a statement to 680 NewsRadio, MTO spokesperson Dakota Braiser nixed the idea.
“Unlike the liberals, we will never add a tax or toll to any road in Ontario,” Brasier said.
With files from David Zura
